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Connect the World
Ukrainian MP Warns of "Unprecedented" Threat Level; Police Investigating Downing Street Lockdown Gatherings; CNN Talks with UAE Ambassador to the United Nations; UAE Ambassador on Response to Houthi Strikes; U.S. Intercepts Vessel Carrying Fertilizer in Gulf of Oman; Macron, Scholz Meeting Amid Ukraine Crisis. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired January 25, 2022 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:00]
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: Well this hour my exclusive interview with the UAE's permanent Representative and Ambassador to the
Unites Nations where we discuss the recent Houthi attacks here in Abu Dhabi and how the U.S. played a role in intercepting those missiles.
That event is certainly part of a series of different but very connected crises that the Biden Administration has been faced with over the past few
weeks putting America's leadership as a global power to the test.
I'm Becky Anderson. Hello, and welcome back to "Connect the World" where one crisis arguably the biggest is happening along the Russian Ukrainian
border and some high stakes finger pointing going on today.
After the Pentagon announced eight and a half thousand U.S. troops are being placed on alert for possible deployment to Eastern Europe. Now the
Kremlin, saying news of that possible deployment is serving to escalate tensions.
The Pentagon, saying Russia is bolstering its forces along the border and in Belarus where it's set to start joint military exercises early next
month. Well, just last hour, a planeload of American equipment and munitions arrived in Kiev to bolster Ukrainian defense as part of the $200
million U.S. security package for Ukraine.
Well, Ukraine's Foreign Minister also pointing the finger today directly at Vladimir Putin in an exclusive interview with our Chief International
Correspondent Clarissa ward. He says the Russian president has "already shot himself in the foot by massing troops along their shared border". Here
is part of that interview.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DMYTRO KULEBA, UKRAINIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: If anyone makes a concession on Ukraine, behind Ukraine's back, first, we will not accept that, we will we
will not be in a position of a country that picks up the phone. Here's the instruction of the big power and follows it. No, we paid a lot, including
15,000 lives of our citizens to secure the right to decide our own future, our own destiny. And we will not allow anyone to impose any concessions on
us.
CLARISSA WARD, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): So when last week, you heard President Biden in that now infamous press conference,
say that a minor incursion into Ukraine might not bring about the kind of Swift, United severe response.
What was the reaction of officials here? And did you ever receive an apology or a phone call from the White House or the State Department to try
to explain the comments?
KULEBA: We heard what President Biden said, the White House and presumably President Biden heard our response to that. And we turned that page over.
We heard from the U.S. officials, speaking openly to the media, but also speaking to me and to other Ukrainian officials directly on the phone, that
the United States will remain absolutely committed to slashing Russia, if any type of incursion invasion interference takes place.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, that was our Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward, speaking to Ukraine's Foreign Minister in an exclusive interview and
more of that on CNN in the coming hours, and on cnn.com. I want to bring in our International Diplomatic Editor, Nic Robertson, who is live for you
tonight in Moscow, what's the Russian perspective on all of this, Nic?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yes, well, what we're hearing from the spokesman at the Kremlin is that, you know, the dialogue
and conversation, that track is still open with the United States that sort of reached a pause moment, if you will, because the Kremlin is waiting for
those written responses from the United States and from NATO.
And the U.S. has indicated they'll be coming this weekend. And the Kremlin has indicated is expecting those written responses, and they will look at
those written responses.
So what the Kremlin is saying, you know, the possibility of dialogue and conversation is still open. But they're saying they interpret this, you
know, potential authorization of eight and a half thousand troops and the sort of NATO stepping up its force presence along the eastern boundaries of
Europe as a destabilizing thing as something that raises the tensions at the moment.
And one of the sorts of continuing narratives from the Pentagon have been rather from the Kremlin has been that what is happening by NATO doing this.
It's sort of trying to create a pretext, as they say, for a provocation, that essentially there's saying that all of this is a sort of a cover to
sort of gin up something you know that's going to - that's going to incite violence against them and incite the Ukrainians to pick a fight, if you
will, with the Russians.
[11:05:00]
ROBERTSON: And they're focusing that on the eastern enclave are those pro- Russian separatists where they say the Ukrainian government's military is preparing are massing troops and military hardware. So this is the frame
through which the Kremlin is looking at all of this at the moment, Becky.
ANDERSON: There is it seems an effort to speak quite publicly, on the part of the U.S. NATO and its Western allies about all of this. One piece in the
FT today suggesting the shunning of secrecy that would be normally much of what is going on in a situation like this will be behind closed doors, but
we're seeing people speaking very, very publicly.
The West coordinated to a degree on its dialogue and in its diplomacy on this, although it isn't completely joined up. I just wonder how all of this
is playing out. In Russia, you've spoken to the Kremlin's perspective, as it were. Now, what's the perspective of the sort of, you know, men and
women on the streets, in Russia at this point?
ROBERTSON: I think there are several things to say about that. Look, people here don't really feel the man and woman on the street don't really feel
that they have a great impact on the outcome of, you know, the decision making inside the Kremlin. But that's kind of a closed loop.
And then they're not party to it, that it's not really being played up heavily on television here. It has been played the way that it's sort of a
little bit ironic, if you will, you know, here are what Americans doing. And NATO is planning to do this.
And this is what the Ukrainians are saying. And meanwhile, you know it's us that are taking the heat that last night; there was a leader of the pro-
Russian separatists from that Eastern enclave in Ukraine, on the TV saying how they could see Ukrainian forces building up.
So there's that kind of narrative going on. But I think, you know, instructive on this, Boris Johnson today in Parliament, essentially saying
that some European nations are a little bit too dependent on Russian gas.
And this is why we're struggling to get agreement on sanctions. And he talks about the issue of Swift, which has sort of been seen as a maximalist
sanction on Russia really deny them access to, you know, to foreign trading on us at a significant and hurtful level.
And we heard from the Russian Federation Council, not long after Boris Johnson speaking, saying, well, and he was speaking to the state media TAS
here saying, well, you know, if Russia was cut out of Swift, then that would mean we couldn't sell oil and gas products to Europe.
So you can see this narrative where, you know, where there's open discussion about divisions among allies and partners in Europe about what
sanctions to put on Russia, there's this small chipping away at it. Well, you know, if you go with that, then there's going to be consequences for
you.
And Boris Johnson spoke precisely to that talking about the political pressures on his another government is in Europe over the high cost of, of
gas. These are all active topics that are suddenly out really being discussed in the open and it gives the Kremlin an opportunity to explore
it.
ANDERSON: Yes. Thank you, Nic. My next guest says, "of course, we need to keep calm even in battle". But first we need to tell people the truth about
the unprecedented level of threat. This is leadership and responsibility for the share of millions at present.
It looks like Biden, that being the U.S. president, of course feels more responsible for Ukrainians than Zelensky. Well, that's Ukrainian parliament
member Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze. She joins me now live from Kiev. It's good to have you.
President Zelensky and the Prime Minister, both - Ukrainians not to panic. Are you saying that the threat at this point is too dire for that to be the
case? And indeed, that Ukrainians should panic?
IVANNA KLYMPUSH-TSINTSADZE, UKRAINIAN MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT: No, definitely not. It's important that Ukrainians should not panic. And obviously,
Ukrainians have built on their resilience here in the society in the States since the start of the war with Russia when it started attacking back in
2014.
But definitely at this particular moment, in order to not to panic, we also have to understand that we are getting internally prepared and then there
is also a call from the authorities on Unity inside of the society. I think that that's extremely important.
We believe and trust our armed forces, but we want to do more for them both internally and obviously also expecting that our partners would continue
their support that they ascending right now with defensive weapons.
[11:10:00]
TSINTSADZE: And some of the partners would not stand blocking the support from others as unfortunate they will see from Germany these latest days.
ANDERSON: So are you worried about what appears to be some fractures or at least let's put it a lack of ultimate coordination between the U.S. NATO
and the Western allies. I mean, Joe Biden is talked about total unanimity when it comes to the West's position on all of this. But that isn't the way
it's being seen by many across Europe.
TSINTSADZE: You know I just came back from Brussels, where I did see quite a few of our partners within the alliance. And my feeling is that none,
none the less, everybody's preaching about unity. But there is a very low this common denominator for the unity.
So I think it has to be heightened, it has to be rising. And therefore we have to do the work, where everybody would see the threat as a threat not
exclusively for Ukraine. And that's really the truth.
Kremlin has been putting its aggressive rhetoric, not exclusively on Ukraine lately. He finally says out loud, what we've been telling to our
partners over these years, eight years of war, because we see and saw it earlier, that Ukraine is not his end goal. His end goal is to come back to
Yalta type of spheres of influence some developments in the world.
And he does want to ensure that Soviet Union in some format is restored that were so packed in some format is restored, so that he could have a
hand telling the West how they should behave, what should we do, and actually change the international rules.
ANDERSON: You said recently, and I quote you here, "we'd love to see the light at the end of the tunnel". The time has come during this decade;
Ukraine could get membership or at least have a roadmap of its movement to NATO at this time.
Look, NATO has not given an indication that that will happen. And Vladimir Putin has repeatedly said Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO are a red
line. So how do you envision this going forward?
TSINTSADZE: Well, first, I really think that back in 2008, it was a big mistake of the Alliance not to grant that moment Ukraine and Georgia map
Membership Action Plan. And unfortunately, that led to several wars that Putin has launched after that on first on Georgia, and then on Ukraine.
So therefore, he doesn't understand the weak and divided responses to whatever he is asking for. I was talking the quote that you're referring to
I was talking about strategic concept that NATO is right now working on for itself for the next decade.
And I think it would, the threat assessment that we all have to do together would only confirm the necessity, bringing in the aspiring democracy,
democracies like Ukraine inside the Alliance, so it would make us stronger, and actually would weaken Putin and his ambitions.
ANDERSON: Finally, what do you want to see President Zelensky do next?
TSINTSADZE: Well, I would really like to see prioritizing the work of and resources being allocated to our armed forces, to our border guards to our
security, security institutions, I think it's extremely important that we are alert that we are internally mobilized.
And also I think it's what's lacking is the mature conversation right now with the Ukrainian public. We are not little kids, we are grownups that
expect just to understand and learn what the state is expecting of us. And what can we each of us on each in their place do to actually better deter
or deter Putin or defend our country.
ANDERSON: With that, we'll leave it there. We thank you very much indeed for joining us this evening.
TSINTSADZE: Thank you.
ANDERSON: Insight an analysis from Kiev, and much more on the latest developments and indeed analysis at cnn.com. White House Reporter Steven
Collinson lays out how a series of global crises are prompting America's enemies to line up to test Joe Biden that is cnn.com/politics well worth a
read.
[11:15:00]
ANDERSON: Well, the U.N. is calling for a "Swift returned to constitutional order after a military coup in Burkina Faso for the immediate release of
President Roch Kabore. Burkina Faso's military says he signed his resignation and is being kept in a safe place.
Now in a televised announcement on Monday, commander said they took control because of the government's failure to protect the country's citizens amid
a long running jihadist insurgency. Well, fast moving developments now out of the UK the Metropolitan Police say they are investigating Downing Street
gatherings as what has become known as the party gate scandal grows.
The spokesman says that Prime Minister Boris Johnson will cooperate with investigators; he faced lawmakers a few hours ago. Words of the Mets
investigation follow Downing Street's confirmation that Mr. Johnson was at a gathering for his birthday while England was in its first lockdown.
The opposition Labor Party says it welcomes the police investigation. CNN's Salma Abdelaziz joining us now from London. Just how much pressure is Boris
Johnson under at this point?
SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN REPORTER: Becky, this is an unprecedented level of pressure. The Prime Minister's position is quite simply more precarious
than it's ever been. For weeks now there has been an inquiry led by the Cabinet Office by a civil servant in the Cabinet Office.
That inquiry has over time grown and grown as the allegations of partying inside Downing Street have grown. That list of parties that started first
as Christmas parties, and then became Christmas parties, Garden Parties or bring your own booze party a suitcase full of booze party.
I mean, the list goes on and on. And of course, the latest a birthday party for the prime minister at a time when no one else could have one. Look,
this is absolutely sent, the sent public outrage to unprecedented levels, I would argue but it's about what his party does with him. For now the prime
minister says he welcomes that investigation. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BORIS JOHNSON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: I welcome the next decision to conduct its own investigation. Because I believe this will help to give the
public the clarity it needs and help to draw a line under matter.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ABDELAZIZ: It won't just give the public the clarity Becky. Here you're hearing that potentially his own party will get greater clarity on how
Prime Minister Boris Johnson if Prime Minister Boris Johnson is implicated in this culture now. This accusation that there is a culture of partying
and drinking at Downing Street across two years across multiple lockdowns across several different periods of pandemic.
And it's that information, the inquiry by the civil servant and the police investigation together that will paint a picture of this administration
where his conservative party will have to make a decision. Does he still represent the party? Is he still the man fit to lead?
If the answer to that is no and an overwhelming number of Conservative MPs turn against the Prime Minister, his position could be lost, that's when a
no confidence vote should, could be called Becky.
ANDERSON: And what sort of support does he have in his own Conservative Party at this point? Is it clear?
ABDELAZIZ: It's very difficult to get a clear reading. But here's what we do know. As the allegations have grown that support within his own party is
waning. There are several reasons and several indications we have of that.
We already know of a small rebellion within his own party, some backbenchers willing to take that step to submit the letters for no
confidence vote. We also know that last year the last time the Prime Minister tried to push COVID rules through Parliament, his own party turned
against him, an unprecedented move dozens of conservative lawmakers voting against their Prime Minister's restrictions.
And you also know that MPs are at pressure at home because when MPs go back to their home towns that are when they hear from voters. That's when MPs
have told us they've been flooded with angry infuriated emails from voters who say why do the rules not apply to them but apply to us to them being
the government?
Of course they're Becky. And as this picture continues to build now by the police as well of what happened inside Downing Street. That's when you are
going to continue to see the cracks in the system.
For now I think many conservative lawmakers are waiting to find out the results of this police investigation waiting to find out what comes from
the inquiry led by that civil servant Sue Gray before they make their final calling but they are under immense pressure from the public care, Becky.
ANDERSON: Still very unclear about the British Prime Minister's future at this point. Thank you, Salma. Well after nearly two decades a mainstay in
Lebanese politics is stepping down while the former prime minister is withdrawing from political life.
[11:20:00]
ANDERSON: Plus, we will talk to the UAE ambassador to the United Nations about the recent Houthi strikes on her country and the threads of a wider
Yemen war, that after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: The Biden Administration facing several crises on a global scale from intercepting attacks over Abu Dhabi to possibly sending troops to
Ukraine and now Iran further extending its influence across the Middle East including in Lebanon.
On Monday, the country's former three time President; sorry, Prime Minister Saad Hariri said he was pulling out of the political game there. And he is
encouraging his fellow Sunnis in Lebanon's parliament to do the same. Hariri is blaming at least in part, Iran for his withdrawal.
While the World Bank has said Lebanon's economic collapse may be one of the three worst since back in the mid-1800s. CNN's Senior International
Correspondent Ben Wedeman has been covering the situation in Lebanon for years.
He joins us now live. And what we heard from the World Bank is only a sort of confirmation of quite frankly, what we already know, knew this is a
country crippled. So Ben, let's talk about the significance of what we've learned today. Who is Saad Hariri? And is that it for the former prime
minister? And if so, what does it matter?
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It matters because Saad Hariri three time Prime Minister, the son of Rafik Al-Hariri, who was
also Prime Minister in Lebanon. This is a family that certainly since the beginning of the 1990s, played a huge role, basically leaders of the Sunni
sect in Lebanon.
And according to the 1943 National pact in Lebanon, the Prime Minister must be a Sunni Muslim. For Saad al-Hariri to basically come out and say, I'm
quitting politics.
And to urge the members of his - or future party not to participate in the upcoming May 15 parliamentary elections, basically means that one of the
three most powerful sectarian groups in Lebanon is being called upon to boycott these elections means that the entire system is coming under threat
a system which in fact is failed the country by and large.
Now Saad al-Hariri in recent years is seen his relationship with Saudi Arabia, the main backer of his father and him until 2017 in November when
Saudi Arabia essentially held him hostage forced him to announce his resignation.
[11:25:00]
WEDEMAN: The Saudis weren't happy because Saad al-Hariri was compromising with his Bala which of course is backed by Iran. And it was involving his
Bala in the Lebanese government since then, basically, he has been adrift looking for support but not getting it from the Gulf.
So really Lebanese politics has been sort of thrown into further disarray by this announcement and of course, the World Bank, which came out with
this report saying that three quarters of the population of Lebanon has been thrown into poverty, that the GDP since 2019 has fallen by more than
58 percent.
The country is in shambles, but now it's in worse shape as a result, and could see worse days ahead. Becky?
ANDERSON: I have to ask, is there a route back for Saad Hariri at this point, or is it is that really as far as you can tell?
WEDEMAN: Well, in Lebanese politics, never say never, he could come back, but certainly, this represents at least for the time being a fairly final
stepping out of the messy political game. Now there's talks that talk about perhaps he's going to remain in the United Arab Emirates, that the UAE has
told them, you can stay you can do business, but don't become involved in politics.
We shall see but now the Sunnis of Lebanon are going to be looking for somebody to represent them in the halls of power. Of course, the current
Prime Minister Najib Mikati is, of course, he's a Sunni, but he doesn't have the sort of political infrastructure that Saad al-Hariri and his
father, of course, that a - Hariri had. So as I said, Lebanese politics, always a messy game just that much messier now, Becky?
ANDERSON: Yes. And what you really got to remember is that, away from the messy politics, messy being an understatement, the people of Lebanon
continues to suffer. This is just not fair. Ben, thank you.
Well, the Israeli Defense Minister is promising to take action after a group of Israeli settlers went on a rampage through a West Bank town where
at least one Palestinian was injured and cars and buildings were damaged.
But against calls Monday night's assault, quite national, "nationalistically motivated violence". It's the latest in a series of
violent incidents involving settlers. On a wider Battlefield ahead, my interview with the UAE Ambassador to the U.N. about the Houthi attacks on
her country, this country where I am and what that means for relations with Iran going forward. Plus, we'll hear from U.S. forces patrolling the waters
amid these new tensions, stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:30:00]
ANDERSON: We now know that it was a coordinated effort on the part of the U.S. and the UAE to intercept the latest Houthi missile attack near Abu
Dhabi on Monday. Yemen's Iran backed Houthis have grown increasingly brazen, striking out at the Emirates twice in just over a week.
Well, a short time ago, I spoke with Lana Nusseibeh, the UAE's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations. And I started by asking
her about the latest attacks, and the UAE's response.
LANA NUSSEIBEH, UAE AMBASSADOR TO THE U.N.: I'd like to confirm first of all, that we were indeed attacked, as has been made public in several media
statements that we have advanced offensive and defensive military capabilities that were able to intercept and deter those attacks.
And that the intended targets were the widespread cause of civilian infrastructure and damage on civilian infrastructure and civilians
themselves. And this is, of course, unacceptable, unprecedented and constitutes a clear violation of international peace and security as well
as the threat of regional escalation.
We will continue to prevail, and at the same time, we will reserve the right to defend ourselves. And that right will be practiced in a manner
consistent with international law, and it will be proportionate and abide by international humanitarian law.
But at the same time, we reserve the full right to defend the security and safety of the millions of people from different countries around the world
who have chosen to travel to the UAE and have chosen to call the UAE their home. 32,000 upward of 32,000 people transit through Abu Dhabi airport
every day. And that was one of the targets as we know now of the 17th January attack.
ANDERSON: Houthis have warned that the UAE will continue to be a target. As long as the attacks they say on the Yemeni people continue and the group
has specifically warned foreign companies and investors to leave the Emirates.
How concerned are you that these attacks will continue that they will harm the reputation of the UAE as a safe place to live and work? And can you be
a bit more specific about the UAE response at this point?
NUSSEIBEH: The UAE is a safe haven, as you rightly pointed out in a difficult region. It has provided a model that I think offers hope and
optimism to the youth of our region. It is a safe haven for international companies and people to come and base them and make it home.
But that of course is what but it's our way of life that they are trying to undermine with these attacks, they will not succeed. Their capabilities are
very limited and simplistic but they will succeed in causing a wider escalation of this conflict.
ANDERSON: I just want to spend a little time just specifically talking about the response here. The UAE Defense Ministry Ambassador released this
video it says showing an F-16 Striking the ballistic missile launcher it says was used in the first series of attacks January the 17th.
A site near Al-Jawaf, which is a Yemeni province about 900 miles southwest of Abu Dhabi, which does raise the question how directly involved the UAE
now is in Yemen after withdrawing ground troops back in 2019. So can you just explain what the extent of this retaliation by the UAE is to date?
NUSSEIBEH: First of all, I would push back on the word retaliation, militias and terrorist groups retaliate sovereign states defend themselves
against terrorist attacks and that is what we are doing.
The international communities, the Security Council, several international organizations over 120 countries have labeled this as a terrorist attacks
both attacks and factors. Now there are certain security requirements that will always be a mainstay of UAE policy in the region.
[11:35:00]
NUSSEIBEH: One is our counterterrorism operations. And that has been ongoing over the past decade in collaboration with U.S. partners, and that
will continue and continues.
ANDERSON: Couple of other questions on what has happened and is happening on the ground specifically, at present. Was the UAE involved in what was a
series of punishing airstrikes last week that took the internet down in Yemen and resulted in the death of more than 80 people at a detention
center?
NUSSEIBEH: I'll refer you to the coalition statement on that where it was, there was denied that the UAE or the coalition was involved in those
attacks. Having said that, I think investigations and that's something the coalition has committed to do.
I think investigations have to always be carried out whether it's a claim of loss of civilian life. I think what those investigations will find,
let's have a look at it. And let's make sure we hold the right people accountable.
ANDERSON: The Houthis are an Iran aligned militia movement. Iran is not condemned these attacks, you have pointed out that 120 countries have
indeed come out and condemned these attacks. But Iran is not one of them. It has so called on the UAE and Saudi to end, as it describes the end of
the human siege on Yemen and enter talks to end the war.
What does the UAE believe is the extent of Iranian involvement here because UAE and its allies have steered away from specifically mentioning Iranian
involvement in these Houthi attacks? Does the UAE believe that Iran has provided support and support beyond weapons for example?
NUSSEIBEH: Look, at the end of the day, the Houthis have claimed these attacks. The Houthis have claimed responsibility for these attacks; they
advertise that claimed responsibility and our own intelligence pinpoint the location of these attacks from Yemen.
And from the areas controlled by the Houthis in Yemen, which is why you will see a proportionate within the confines of international law response
to those attacks.
ANDERSON: So bottom line here, how does what has happened here in the UAE over the past, what nine days or so now? How does this affect UAE
relations? Does it change the UAE's policy of seeming repression towards Iran at this point?
NUSSEIBEH: Look, I think you can do many things in diplomacy at the same time. You can have many channels and tracks of discussion and negotiation
with different partners in the region, including Iran, but have fundamental disagreements.
We will continue on the track of de-escalation and diplomacy. But at the same time, at the same time, Becky, we reserve the right to fully defend
ourselves defensively and offensively in the region. Because that is the commitment we make as a government to keep our citizens, our 8 million or
so residents from the different 192 member states of the U.N. safe.
As you have seen over the last year or two, we have been very focused on a de escalatory track in the region on turning the temperature down on
reaching out to various players and partners in the region and trying to find a way through what is a very complex regional environment. And we will
continue on that track.
ANDERSON: These attacks Ambassador suggest advancement in Houthi technology and higher precision that the U.S. base here and other infrastructure in
the UAE have been threatened. And in the case of the first attack, some of these projectiles did actually get through. Shows that air defense here is
being tested by this Iran aligned or Iran backed group.
It's clear that the UAE is discussing a range of security needs with Washington. Can you expand on what the UAE needs from the U.S. and others
in terms of air defenses and maritime security at this point?
NUSSEIBEH: I can't comment on ongoing discussions bilaterally with the United States, but I can confirm that they are ongoing. I think we carry a
large burden for the regional security environment and we're happy to carry that burden. But of course, we need the support of our partners at the same
time.
What does that support look like today, as you've rightly pointed out, our defensive capabilities, our abilities to intercept and deflect these
attacks is world class. And it is it is internationally world class.
Now, at the same time, there can always be upgrades there can always be improvements. There can always be additional intelligence cooperation. And
I think these are the fields that we are looking at with our partners in the United States.
[11:40:00]
NUSSEIBEH: And of course, as you will have seen, there is a very serious ongoing discussion with the United States government, but also with other
governments about how we increase the pressure on the Houthis to come to the negotiating table.
That is ultimately the objective of our military engagement today. It's to defend ourselves and to increase the pressure on them to come to a
political negotiating table. So yes, those conversations are ongoing with many partners and primarily the United States and I think they will bear
fruit.
ANDERSON: Ambassador Nusseibeh there talks about what is going on here in Yemen and around the region last week. The U.S. intercepting a fishing
vessel along the trafficking route to the Houthis in the Gulf of Oman, it was carrying 40 tons of fertilizer, apparently from Iran.
Last year, the same vessel was seized of Somalia that time it was carrying weapons. That vessel was seized by the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet. CNN's Eleni
Giokos is in Bahrain with more on the growing tensions, Eleni.
ELENI GIOKOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Becky, I mean, look, and as you say, this vessel was seized with 40 tons of fertilizer, which, of course, you
could say is used for agriculture. But importantly, there were two things that caused concern.
Firstly, it was a stateless ship. And that means it wasn't carrying a flag. And secondly, it was a - vessel that was carrying weapons, and was seized
by the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet. Beginning of last year, we know fertilizer can be used to create explosives that came from Iran. It was meant to go to
Yemen and that of course, and then meant that the Fifth Fleet was able to go and inspect this vessel.
These are absolutely critical waters. And the Fifth Fleet operating here in Bahrain patrols waters, they're saying they're seeing an uptick in
activity. And patrolling together with 34 coalition partners has increased as well. Take a listen to Commander Tim Hawkins.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TIM HAWKINS, PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER, U.S. NAVY FIFTH FLEET: The vessel in question was the same vessel we had interdicted last year in February, we
discovered illicit weapons on board. So the fact that it was carrying a fertilizer, a chemical compound that could also be used as a weapons
explosive precursor told us that perhaps it was not intended for good.
And that is why we transferred it over to Yemen Coast Guard. We have increased our patrols, specifically in the Gulf of Oman and in the Arabian
Sea, along known routes where smuggling is common.
We've seen the uptick, not only with respect to the proliferation of unmanned aerial vehicles and the threat that they present, not only to U.S.
forces operating in the region, but to our regional partners.
GIOKOS: Commander, are you worried about instability in the region?
HAWKINS: Yes, we're very aware that Iran, particularly its advances and ballistic missile technology, cruise missiles growing and also UAVs were
very, very much aware of proxy activities as being a key threat, not only to the UAE, but too many other nations around the region.
It is a cause for concern. It has its very vigilant, and it has us working ever so more closely with our international partners in this region.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GIOKOS: And Becky, the Commander is saying that they're redoubling their efforts, they're patrolling a lot more, they're on higher loads. And it's
interesting. If you look at the numbers in 2021, they were able to intercept three times more weapons caches that were being transported in
these waters, illegal as well as illicit drugs.
This is a really interesting time with regards to tensions that have been rising. But importantly, the patrolling that occurs in these very critical
waters does two things. Firstly, it ensures that legal trade occurs smoothly.
We've got two very important choke points; we've got the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the Suez Canal. You've got to ensure that international trade
happens easily. And then secondly, you've got to try and intercept the illegal activity that also occurs quite predominantly in these waters as
well and often funds terrorism.
The important route is Iran to Yemen. That is what is being watched quite predominantly and significantly here, Becky. And Bahrain is a very
important node for the U.S. Naval Command Center.
ANDERSON: Yes, absolutely, Eleni, thank you. Eleni Giokos is in Bahrain for you well ahead on "Connect the World", the push for diplomacy to resolve
the very dangerous standoff along the Russian Ukrainian border.
[11:45:00]
ANDERSON: What's happening this week in France could that could jumpstart negotiations, that after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Come the drumbeats of war along the Russian Ukrainian border be silenced by diplomacy will no matter how heated the rhetoric gets. Leaders
from all sides continue to hold out hope for a diplomatic solution.
The latest opportunity happens this week. The Kremlin says the presidents of Russia and France will talk by phone their conversation will take place.
On the same week the diplomats from France, Russia, Ukraine and Germany meet in Paris for the so called Normandy Format talks. So Melissa Bell
connecting us from Paris, what do we know at this point? What can we expect?
MELISSA BELL, CNN PARIS CORRESPONDENT: Well, this determined push for diplomacy for negotiations coming very much from those two countries here
in Europe that have been the least hawkish.
When it comes to Russia, France and Germany who throughout this in over the course of the last week, few weeks have been steadfast in their
determination, the dialogue negotiations should be at the forefront of all efforts.
And this goes back some time if you take it back a few years macrons determination that Europe should look to its own dialogue with Russia
moving away from NATO, moving away from the United States, looking to its own security considerations.
And having more dialogue rather than confrontation with Moscow, Germany's insistence on the fact that any sanctions any further sanctions could have
or would have a punitive effect on European economies.
And not least the German one, as a dependent as it is on so many Russian goods specifically, of course, Becky, natural gas that has been at the
forefront of their minds in these economies, very conscious of what sanctions and war would mean.
So that has been at the heart of their reluctance over the course of the last few weeks to get too hawkish when it comes to Russia. And yet what
we've seen over the course of the last couple of days under pressure for the United States has been a great show of unity.
When it comes to NATO allies in response to Russia, we heard earlier from the British prime minister as well, who spoke in the House of Commons
Becky, echoing that sense of unity, that sense of determination, not just when it comes to sanctions, but also with regard to more aggressive steps
should Russia choose to invade. Have a listen to what Boris Johnson had to say.
ANDERSON: Thank you, Melissa. Well, earlier, our colleague, Christiane Amanpour spoke to the Head of NATO, have a listen.
[11:50:00]
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Do you believe at this point that there is a diplomatic way out still?
JENS STOLTENBERG, NATO SECRETARY GENERAL: It still is a diplomatic way out. But that requires that Russia de-escalates and, and is ready to engage in,
in good faith in political talks with NATO and NATO allies and whether Russia is willing to do that that remains to be seen.
But I think we will know more when we have submitted the documents from the United States and from NATO to Russia later this week, and then we had to
wait for the Russian reactions.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: And you can watch that full interview on our report tonight at 10 here in Abu Dhabi, that's 1 pm New York time.
Well, the European Union is Russia's largest trading partner and is, as most of you will they probably heavy heavily reliant on Moscow for its
energy needs, which means economic punishment for Russia, through sanctions could impact why to Europe as well. But what would those Armageddon, like
financial sanctions look like Anna Stewart with this report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANNA STEWART, CNN REPORTER (voice over): Away from the border with Ukraine, a different battle strategy is being drawn up as Western allies consider
how to respond to a potential Russian incursion with economic weapons.
URSULA VON DER LEYEN, EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT: The European Union is by far Russia's biggest trading partner, and by far the largest investor.
And yes, this trading relationship is important to us. But it is far more important to Russia.
STEWART (voice over): In 2020, the EU accounted for over a third of Russia's total trade. It's their biggest market for oil and gas and their
biggest foreign investor with investments worth $350 billion in 2019. Some sanctions are already in place imposed in 2014 for Russia's illegal
annexation of Crimea, and more were added as relations with Russia continue to sour.
TIM ASH, SENIOR EM STRATEGIST, BLUEBAY ASSET MANAGEMENT: Sanctions do have an impact. I mean, a lot of people brushed them away as being ineffective.
Russia spent a lot of money since 2014, lobbying against them, which suggests they don't like them. More restrictions on sovereign debt,
Russia's ability to borrow overseas, there's still a whole host of things they can do it.
STEWART (voice over): The Kremlin has repeatedly denied they plan to attack Ukraine, but Western allies remain wary. Europe faces a problem though,
energy. The EU relies on Russia for more than 40 percent of its natural gas imports, and 25 percent of oil.
ADAM THOMSON, DIRECTOR, EUROPEAN LEADERSHIP NETWORK: Some allies and I guess, the finger often points at Germany are very committed to an approach
of dialogue and diplomacy. And through Germany, a lot of the rest of Western Europe get Russian energy supplies, which if cut off totally, would
leave us with a very cold winter indeed.
STEWART (voice over): --which is why other more extreme options on Europe's table could backfire. Germany could refuse to give the final approval to
Russia's $9.5 dollar Nord Stream two gas pipelines.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We are at the heart of the global financial system.
STEWART (voice over): Or the West could cut Russia off from the global payment system swift used by banks.
ASH: Russia has made it clear that it would see a cut off from Swift. I mean, I think Scott, the Kremlin Press Secretary said that it would be
equivalent to a declaration of war. And I think in that scenario, Russia could well suspend --energy deliveries to Europe.
STEWART (voice over): Western allies and the EU in particular, have powerful economic weapons to hand but wielding them comes with risk. It'll
be hard for the West to agree on sanctions. But if Russia invades Ukraine, they'll need to stand united. Anna Stewart, CNN London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, we're taking a very short break, back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:55:00]
ANDERSON: Science fiction fans have been promised flying cars for decades and then finally have won in Slovakia. Regulators they're approved the so
called Air car as air worthy builders a dual mode car aircraft vehicle.
It runs on an electric motor and its developer says it's compatible with EU aviation rules. The air car has completed 70 hours of flight testing and
last summer it landed in the Slovakian capital and drove downtown as a car.
Well the blizzard is wreaking havoc in Turkey flights were halted at the Istanbul airport on Monday where the roof of a cargo warehouse collapsed
after heavy snow. That spot crowds of passengers together in protest today social media videos from the airport show police forces standing by while
people were heard screaming, we need a hotel. Transportation across the country was impacted.
Authorities say the weather left thousands of people stranded, many were taken to shelters. Well, a rare snowstorm is also paralyzing parts of
Greece, so blanketed the Acropolis in Athens. Let me get you now to the German leader, Mr. Scholz, who is speaking alongside his French
counterpart, Emmanuel Macron. Let's listen in.
OLAF SCHOLZ, GERMAN CHANCELLOR: I am happy to support and the G7 presidency starts at the same time. So it's good when we do this kind of work together
and bring it forward. We want to have a strong and sovereign Europe; we are for fear justified order for economic growth, for the ability to act in
foreign policy.
Of course, it's all ways about fighting the pandemic and strengthens us. Germany and France will work together hand in hand, and we will use our
chair people's position. The EU Council will have a meeting in France; it will be about a growth, which is a very important topic.
We together did some work in advance, especially because of the funds. It's about the transformation that is very important to all of us. Climate
change takes priority. We want to contribute to a modern modernization so that we can work on the climate together we have the fit for 25.
And we want to work on this together. Naturally, there are more issues we have on our agenda that are important. What bind us together are our values
about democracy and rule of law and trust. And we need to talk about this.
When we talk about the climate, then we talk about the activities, how can we combine them together, what is internationally necessary, Europe will be
part and have own activities. And there needs to be a certain balance so that the various industries are protected.
This is embedded - of climate club, and we have issues to talk about. We will show that European policy is embedded; international cooperation can
be very successful. What is important as well is the question how to act together in view of the very difficult situation.
At the border of Ukraine, there are a lot of troops faced there. And it's very important that we contribute to the positions that they develop in a
different way, then sometimes we fear the word. We expect from Russia clear steps for contributing to de-escalation.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
